Infant seat support

ABSTRACT

An infant seat support assembly is disclosed for supporting an infant seat relative to a structure, such as a shopping cart.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of patent application number U.S.Ser. No. 14/727,291 filed on Jun. 1, 2015 which claims priority toprovisional patent application number U.S. Ser. No. 62/005,386 filed onMay 30, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND

When using a shopping cart with an infant seat (e.g., an infant carseat), users will place the infant seat in a basket or on a seat of theshopping cart. In both instances, safety of an infant in the infant seatis compromised. When placed in the basket, minimal space is provided toplace items therein and the possibility exists of accidentally placingitems on top of the infant. When placed on the seat, the infant seat caneasily fall off the shopping cart or cause the entire shopping cart tobe unstable and tip over.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing connection of an infant seat to ashopping cart using an infant seat support.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing connection of an infant seat to analternative support structure using an infant seat support.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an infant seat support assembly thatincludes an infant seat support and a cover.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the infant seat support shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the cover of FIG. 3 applied to an infantseat.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing connection of an infant seat supportto an infant seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates connection of an infant seat support assembly 10connecting an infant car seat 12 to a shopping cart 14. One exampleinfant car seat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,927, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Thesupport assembly 10 is connected to the shopping cart proximate a handle18 of the shopping cart 14 to suspend the infant car seat 12 above asurface where the shopping cart 14 is positioned. Alternatively, thesupport assembly 10 can be connected to different positions on theshopping cart such as either side or a front of the shopping cart 14.Regardless of a point of connection with the shopping cart 14, supportassembly 10 is configured to support the infant car seat 12 as well asan infant occupying the car seat 12.

The handle 18 extends transverse to a basket of the shopping cart 14.With this arrangement, interference between legs of an operator pushingthe cart 14 and the infant car seat 12 is minimized, if not altogethereliminated. Moreover, due to an angled configuration for a rear side ofthe basket, a center of gravity for the infant car seat 12 is locatedabove rear wheels of the cart 14. As such, the cart 14 maintainssufficient stabilization, allowing an operator to push the cart 14 whileusing the basket and without tipping the cart 14 and thus compromisesafety.

In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 1, analternative infant seat support assembly 20 can include a slidingplatform 22 and a securing mechanism 24, herein embodied as a strap.When support assembly 20 is not in use, a user can slide the platform 22under the basket of the cart 14 so as to be out of the way. The platform22 is configured to receive and support the infant car seat 12 when theseat 12 is placed on the platform 22. Once placed on the platform 22,the securing mechanism 24 can secure the seat 12 to the platform 22 oneither side, for example using a connection mechanism such as a buckle,caribiner, or other suitable connection mechanism.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the infant supportassembly 10 can be coupled to a different structure 30 (herein shown asa stair railing) in order to suspend the infant car seat 12 aboveground. In such a scenario, a user can couple the support assembly 10 tothe alternative structure 30 and push the infant car seat 12 from sideto side so as to establish a swinging motion for the infant car seat 12.The alternative structure 30 can take various forms, such as the stairrailing that is shown, a stand with sufficient structure to support theinfant car seat 12 and/or a stroller-type structure that can support theinfant car seat 12 during motion.

It will be appreciated that the support assembly 10 can be integratedinto various structures and supports as desired. For example, thesupport assembly 10 can be integrated into the shopping cart 14 oralternative structure 30 as discussed above. For example, the supportassembly 10 can include straps that are retractable into the shoppingcart 14. To use the support assembly 10 in this embodiment, a user pullson the straps and secures the support assembly 10 to the infant car seat12. In an alternative embodiment, the support assembly 10 can beintegrated into the infant car seat 12. In such an example, the infantcar seat 12 can include a retractable mechanism such that the supportassembly 10 can be retracted into the infant car seat 12.

Assembly 10 and/or 20 can be described as means for supporting an infantcar seat above a surface when attached to a structure such as a shoppingcart. In one embodiment, the means for supporting can include connectorsthat connect to the shopping cart 14 and to the infant car seat 12. Inanother embodiment, the means for supporting can include a platform 22connected to the shopping cart and a strap 24 securing the infant carseat 12 to the platform 22.

FIG. 3 shows infant seat support assembly 10 that includes an infantseat support 40 and a seat cover 42 coupled with the support 40. Asdiscussed in more detail below, the support 40 can be used to supportthe infant car seat 12 (FIG. 1) to an object or structure such asshopping cart 14. The cover 42 can be used to cover the infant car seat12 and prevent items from contacting an infant within the infant carseat.

The support 40 includes first and second connectors 44 a and 44 b usedto connect the support 40 to an object. In addition, the support 40includes a third connector 46 used to connect the support 40 to theinfant car seat (e.g., to a handle of the infant car seat). A strapassembly 50 provides connection among each of the connectors 44 a, 44 band 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 40 further includes apair of decorative sleeves 52 a and 52 b that cover a portion of thestrap assembly 50. The sleeves 52 a and 52 b can be of variousconstructions, but in the illustrated embodiment comprise tubular fabricwith elastic bands at either end. Alternatively, the strap assembly 50(or portions thereof) can have a design imprinted on and/or within thestrap assembly 50.

The cover 42 includes a main body 54 and a fastening element (hereinembodied as an elastic band 56) defining a lower perimeter about themain body 54. The main body 54 can form a dome or tent-like shape thatsurrounds an opening of the infant car seat. A portion or an entirety ofmain body 54 can be formed of mesh or a mesh-like fabric that allows airto enter the infant car seat when the cover 42 is attached to the carseat. In addition, the main body 54 can be formed of a water proofmaterial or other material with select properties as desired. Furtherstill, a portion or an entirety of main body 54 can match the decorativesleeves 52 a and 52 b as desired.

The elastic band 56 surrounds the opening of the infant car seat and iscapable of securing the cover 42 to the infant car seat. In otherembodiments, the elastic band 56 can be any type of fastening elementthat assists in securing the main body 54 to the infant car seat. Forexample, the fastening element can be a drawstring, cinching mechanism,one or more snaps, one or more buttons, one or more zippers, etc. In theillustrated embodiment, the elastic band 56 includes a decorative sleevethat can match the decorative sleeves 52 a and 52 b as desired.

Positioned within the main body 54 of the cover 42 is an opening 58. Theopening 58 allows for passage of connector 46 through the main body 54such that connector 46 can be coupled with the infant car seat 12. Assuch, the opening is centrally located within the main body 54 so as tobe proximate a handle of the infant car seat 12.

FIG. 4 shows the infant seat support 40 with decorative sleeves 52 a and52 b removed. As shown, connectors 44 a, 44 b and 46 are embodied ascaribiners, including a loop portion with a spring loaded gate. In oneembodiment, the connectors 44 a, 44 b and 46 are formed of a suitablemetal. In other embodiments, the connectors 44 a, 44 b and 46 can beformed of a polymer, composite or other suitable materials andstructures. For example, the connectors 44 a, 44 b and 46 can be formedof metal, polymer, composite or other material and embodied as S-shapedhooks, L-shaped hooks, C-shaped hooks, U-shaped hooks, clips, straps,and other forms of connectors suitable to support an infant car seat.

Support 40, and in particular strap assembly 50, forms a Y-shapedconfiguration that includes upper straps 60 a and 60 b extending fromrespective connectors 44 a and 44 b at one end to adjustable mechanismsherein shown as buckles 62 a and 62 b at an opposite end. The strapassembly 50 can also take other shapes and/or configurations as desired,such as a V-shape, U-shape, I-shape, W-shape, etc. The buckles 62 a and62 b are equipped with one or more mechanisms that can allow selectiverelative movement between the straps 60 a, 60 b and the buckles 62 a, 62b such that a length of straps 44 a, 44 b from respective connectors 44a, 44 b to buckle 62 a, 62 b is adjusted.

In one embodiment, the buckles 62 a, 62 b can include a ratchetmechanism used to adjust the length of straps 60 a, 60 b from connectors44 a, 44 b to buckles 62 a, 62 b. In other embodiments, the buckles 62a, 62 b can include a retractable mechanism (e.g., similar to a seatbelt) for adjustment of the length. The buckles 62 a, 62 b can takevarious forms and be formed of metal, polymer or other materials ofsufficient strength to support an infant car seat. In other examples,the buckles 62 a, 62 b can be cam buckles. In yet a further embodiment,buckles 62 a, 62 b can be eliminated entirely or other adjustablemechanism can be utilized such as apertures (e.g., formed withingrommets positioned within upper straps 66 a, 66 b) coupled with a prongfor positioning within one of the apertures.

An intermediate strap 64 is connected to the buckles 62 a, 62 b ateither end and supports a connector 66 (herein embodied as a ring) thatconnects with a lower strap 68. Lower strap 48, in turn, is connected toconnector 46. In one embodiment, lower strap 68 can include a buckle orsimilar mechanism to adjust a length of the lower strap 68 as measuredfrom connector 46 to connector 66. In one embodiment, each of the straps60 a, 60 b, 64 and 68 of strap assembly 50 are formed of flat nylonwebbing of sufficient size and strength to support an infant car seatand an infant. As will be appreciated, strap assembly 50 can be formedof other materials as desired, such as cords, cables, bungee cords,chains, flexible metal, etc. Buckles 62 a, 62 b and ring 66 can beformed of a suitable material such as a polymer or metal and further beof sufficient strength to support an infant car seat and an infant.

During use and with further reference to FIG. 1, connectors 44 a, 44 bare coupled with an upper portion of the shopping cart 14, which can bea cross support, handle 18 or other structure. As shown, each of theconnectors 44 a, 44 b are connected to either side of the shopping cart14 proximate the handle 18, such that the infant car seat 12 issupported below the handle of the shopping cart. When embodied ascaribiners as shown, connectors 44 a, 44 b can be of sufficient size toattach directly to shopping cart 14. In an alternative embodiment,connection between the support assembly 10 and shopping cart 14 can beprovided in different ways. For example, the shopping cart 14 caninclude one or more hooks, caribiners or other mechanism that connectsand supports the upper straps 60 a, 60 b. To this end, in oneembodiment, the upper straps 60 a, 60 b can form a loop portion or otherstructure that can directly connect with a structure on the shoppingcart 14. In addition, connectors 44 a, 44 b and strap assembly 50 can beattached to either side of cart 14, in front of cart 14 or any otherarea on cart 14 to accommodate safe holding of the infant car seat 12.

FIG. 5 shows the cover 42 assembled to an infant car seat 12, whichillustratively includes a base 72 and an arm or handle 74 extending fromthe base 72. Keeping in mind that elastic band 56 can be embodied as anytype of fastening element as discussed above, upon final assembly asillustrated, elastic band 56 surrounds a perimeter of the base 72 and isbiased inward to secure the cover 42 to the infant car seat 12. Inaddition, the opening 58 is located so as to accommodate handle 74. Inone embodiment and as illustrated, main body 54 includes a closuremechanism 78 (herein embodied as a zipper) to provide access to aninterior of the infant car seat 12 when cover 42 is assembled to theinfant car seat 12. The closure mechanism 78 can be other forms such asVelcro, buttons, snaps, etc.

FIG. 6 shows connection of the support 40 to the infant car seat 12. Toattach the strap assembly 50 to infant car seat 12, connector 46 passesthrough opening 58 in main body 54 of cover 42. Connector 46 is thenwrapped around the handle 74 of the infant car seat 12 and fed backthrough opening 58. Connector 46 can then be attached to lower strap 68.Other forms of connection can also be realized. For example, connector46 can be secured to ring 66 or intermediate strap 64, therebyeliminating the need to utilize lower strap 68 for connection.Additionally, connector 46 can be of sufficient size to attach directlyto handle 74, without strap 68 being wrapped around handle 74.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, avariety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may besubstituted for the specific examples shown and described withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examplesdiscussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure belimited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of supporting an infant car seatrelative to a structure, comprising: providing a support assembly, thesupport assembly having a first connector at a first end and a secondconnector at a second end, opposite the first end; attaching the firstconnector to the structure; and attaching the second connector to theinfant car seat so as to suspend the infant car seat relative to thestructure.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the secondconnector to the infant car seat comprises wrapping the first straparound a handle of the infant car seat.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein attaching the second connector to the infant car seat furthercomprises connecting the second connector around the first strap.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: attaching a third connector ofthe support assembly to the structure, the third connector spaced apartfrom the second connector.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:attaching a cover to the infant car seat, the cover having an opening toreceive the second connector.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thestructure is a shopping cart.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thefirst connector is secured directly over a wheelbase of the shoppingcart.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the shopping cart includes aplatform attaching the first connector to the shopping cart, the methodfurther includes the step of placing the infant car seat on theplatform.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further includessliding the platform outwardly with respect to the shopping cart priorto placing the infant car seat on the platform.
 10. The method of claim8, wherein the method further comprises securing the infant car seat tothe platform.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the infant car seat issecured to the platform with a strap connected to the platform.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each connector includes a spring loaded gate.13. The method of claim 1, wherein the support assembly furtherincludes: a first strap; a second strap; an intermediate strapinterconnecting the first and second straps; and a lower strap connectedto the intermediate strap and coupled with a third connector.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the support assembly forms a V or Y-shapeconfiguration when operatively secured to the structure.
 15. The methodof claim 1, the method further comprising the step of adjusting a lengthof the support assembly.
 16. A combination, comprising: a shopping cartpositioned on a surface; an infant car seat; and an infant car seatsupport for supporting the infant car seat from the shopping cart abovethe surface.